Page 54 - Latest Updates on Omicron
Covid-19: Scientists debate over need for Omicron-specific vaccine
Several scientists have claimed that a Covid variant-specific vaccine is not needed, and that the existing shots are well effective against all variants, including Omicron
 "Covid-19: Scientists debate over need for Omicron-specific vaccine")
Need to be vigilant even though Covid cases reducing: Mandaviya
Must not lower the guard even as active cases of Covid in most of the states have fallen in the last two weeks, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in an interaction with five eastern states
 "Need to be vigilant even though Covid cases reducing: Mandaviya")
Kerala logs 50,812 new Covid cases, active tally crosses 336,000
Kerala logged 50,812 new infections and eight Covid-19-related deaths on Saturday, taking the infection count to 59,31,945 and the death toll to 53,191
 "Kerala logs 50,812 new Covid cases, active tally crosses 336,000")
NeoCov: Doctors advise not to panic over supposed new form of coronavirus
Even as reports emerge of a new lethal variant called 'NeoCov' that requires only one mutation to infiltrate human cells, doctors on Saturday advised people not to panic
 "NeoCov: Doctors advise not to panic over supposed new form of coronavirus")
Mumbai sees 1,411 new Covid cases, 11 fatalities in last 24 hours
Mumbai on Saturday reported 1,411 fresh Covid-19 cases and 11 fatalities due to the coronavirus infection, taking the tally to 10,44,470 and the toll to 16,602, the city civic body said
 "Mumbai sees 1,411 new Covid cases, 11 fatalities in last 24 hours")
Covid-19: Lata Mangeshkar off ventilator but under observation, says doctor
Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar has been put off ventilator but is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the doctor treating her said on Saturday
 "Covid-19: Lata Mangeshkar off ventilator but under observation, says doctor")
Delhi records 4,483 Covid cases, 28 deaths, positivity rate down to 7.41%
Delhi on Saturday reported 4,483 fresh Covid-19 cases, a positivity rate of 7.41 per cent and 28 deaths, according to data shared by the city health department
 "Delhi records 4,483 Covid cases, 28 deaths, positivity rate down to 7.41%")
Covid-19 third wave peak over in Maharashtra, says state Health Minister
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the peak of Covid-19 third wave is over in the state as Covid-19 cases are reducing in cities like Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar that were worst hit
 "Covid-19 third wave peak over in Maharashtra, says state Health Minister")
China reports jump in Covid cases among Olympic athletes, officials
36 Games-related personnel were found to be infected - 29 when they arrived at the Beijing airport and seven already in the 'closed loop' bubble
 "China reports jump in Covid cases among Olympic athletes, officials")
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern isolates after virus exposure
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said late Saturday she is self-isolating after coming into close contact with a person infected with the coronavirus
 "New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern isolates after virus exposure")
Covid vaccines administered in India cross 1.65-bn mark
With the administration of more than 56 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage on Saturday exceeded 165.04 crore, as per the health ministry report
 "Covid vaccines administered in India cross 1.65-bn mark")
Joni Mitchell joining Neil Young in protest over Spotify
Neil Young ignited a protest against the streaming service for airing a podcast that featured a figure who has spread misinformation about the coronavirus
 "Joni Mitchell joining Neil Young in protest over Spotify")
Long Covid: Mild infections can lead to hidden lung damage
People with even mild Covid infections are likely to have hidden damage to their lungs after an initial bout of illness, a small pilot study in the UK has shown
 "Long Covid: Mild infections can lead to hidden lung damage")
Risk persists even though cases starting to plateau in parts of India: WHO
On January 21, the country reported a total of 347,254 new COVID-19 cases after which the daily infection count has been reducing
 "Risk persists even though cases starting to plateau in parts of India: WHO")
BA.2 is 1.5 times more transmissible than original Omicron strain: Study
The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron is 1.5 times more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, according to a study led by Danish researchers.
 "BA.2 is 1.5 times more transmissible than original Omicron strain: Study")
Data story: India logs 235,532 cases; active cases see massive dip
India has so far administered 1,650,487,260 vaccine doses. That is 4039.54 per cent of its total caseload, and 117.8 per cent of its population
 "Data story: India logs 235,532 cases; active cases see massive dip")
Global Covid caseload tops 369.4 mn, deaths surge to more than 5.64 mn
The global coronavirus caseload has topped 369.4 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.64 million and vaccinations to over 9.92 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.
 "Global Covid caseload tops 369.4 mn, deaths surge to more than 5.64 mn")
Covid-19: Omicron drives US deaths higher than in fall's delta wave
Omicron is driving the daily American death toll higher than during last fall's delta wave, with deaths likely to keep rising for days or even weeks
 "Covid-19: Omicron drives US deaths higher than in fall's delta wave")
Omicron dominates Covid third wave in Karnataka, minister clarifies
Hours after tweeting on Friday that the Delta variant dominated the Covid third wave in Karnataka, State Health Minister K Sudhakar clarified that it was both Omicron and the Delta strains.
 "Omicron dominates Covid third wave in Karnataka, minister clarifies")
79% founders feel Omicron had little impact on biz, says survey
45% founders confident that they will be able to close funding rounds in 3-6 months
 "79% founders feel Omicron had little impact on biz, says survey")